pudy68

Hello,

For the Mariner of the Seas, will free morning room service still be offered (not in a suite this time)?  I know some ships are changing and you can't get coffee or continental breakfast items for free, anymore.  This will break hubbie's smile if he has to forgo his ritual coffee on the balcony while I'm sleeping in!

Quick question - app has it for $31...will it be the same price on board, or more?  We leave in 2 weeks (MOS), so not expecting a sale to appear on the app.  

On 7/19/2023 at 4:54 PM, OCSC Mike said:

 

No, in fact you have to go get one yourself if you want one (free to use). No one will make you wear one. That said, according to my wife (who has run marathons and used to teach swimming and is in pretty good shape), it's a fairly far swim if you want to get all the way out to the shipwreck and she recommends them if you plan to hang out for a bit out there. Her other comment was that they help you float above the nurse sharks in the event you encounter one, lol. (Yes, there are actually some small sharks. She's seen a nurse shark by the shipwreck and a lemon shark by the OTW cabanas.)

 

I passed along her info b/c she's the snorkeler. I grab a drink and sit under an umbrella while she does her thing.

Wait...sharks?  *unpacks snorkeling stuff*

Does anyone know if they enforce snorkeling vests if we aren't renting equipment from them?

Silly question, but would we use these mesh floaters in the ocean, assuming calm waters and no rip currents, or do you mean for the pool?

Amazon's product name: Kelsyus Spring Float Hammock Pool Lounge Chair, Light Blue

currently $28.31 USD

51 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

The best way to choose is by watching You Tube videos ahead of time - Now, why didn't I think of that!

 

- Chill Island -- relatively quiet, good beach, hammocks nearby in total shade, near Chill Grill for lunch - This sounds perfect!

- South Beach -- beach is much like Chill Island, but the water isn't quite as nice, games, near Skipper Grill for lunch 

- Breezy Bay -- smaller than the first two beaches, quiet

- The pool -- located in the center of the island, the pool is loud, definitely a party atmosphere 

 

For what you're considering, I'd think you'd start your day at one of the beaches, then move over to the pool later in the day.  Are there normally any lounges available later in the day?  I'd expect they will all be taken all day.

 

Other thoughts: 

- No breakfast on the island, so you'll want to get up early enough to eat on the ship.  Or make yourself a breakfast sandwich and take it with you.  Brilliant!

- You say you don't want alcohol, but you might want to buy a soda.  The bars open before the lunch facilities.  Drinks are available at the two big lunch spots maybe 10:30-ish, and lunch starts about 11:00.  

- Definitely BYO snorkeling equipment.  

- Consider bringing your own floating mats or pool noodles instead of renting.  We have some great mats with a blow-up ring around the edge /mesh in the middle -- they're over a decade old.  Vacationlover made the same suggestion.  I just need to know I can get them back home since they never deflate as small as they start out.

- The island offers towel stations (check out or trade for fresh towels), but I personally think it's easier to bring your own from the ship /not have to search out a towel station.  

Thanks for all the great info, Mum!

1 hour ago, vacationlover_mn said:

I see that my link didn’t work, so I deleted it.  Just go into amazon, and search for mesh inflatable pool float.  It’s mesh in the middle, and the ends are inflatable.   I have one, but don’t bring it with.  It seems to work well if your under 200 lbs… not sure about heavier people.

Do these deflate well so that packing them to go home isn't an issue?

7 minutes ago, Weluv2cruise2gether said:

We always do chill island because there is some good snorkeling there with a sunken ship. We usually get a chill island beach bed, last time that was $299 and includes up to 4 people. It come with a cooler stocked with 4 waters, 2 lounge chairs, one umbrella, 2 floating mats and of course the covered beach bed. Also no need to take towels from the ship because they are supplied with the beach bed. It’s close to bathrooms, not far from food. We never used the pool because when in the Caribbean we prefer the sea as we can use a pool a home (and on the ship). Enjoy your Perfect Day at Coco Cay!!

If we don't rent a beach bed, do we have to pay for floating mats?  Are towels always provided, or only for renters of the beach bed?

Where is the Snack Shack/tram stop at SB?  I don't see it on my map.  Also, does the tram run the whole island?

On 7/6/2023 at 7:39 PM, ymncruise said:

Yes, food is included. I had the chicken sandwich and it was really good. 
 

So all foods are included?  Or are there some specialty places where you need your sailpass?  What about all beverages?

Hello, and TIA for your suggestions:

We've never been here before and are unsure of how to make the best of the time when we arrive in a few weeks.  When we get off the ship, which areas do you recommend we head to?  We would like 4 lounges, a snorkeling area (we bring our own equipment), access to a nearby pool, and of course, the included food.  We are 4 adults that do not drink alcohol, so bar locations are not a factor. I appreciate all of your varied opinions.  😉 🏖️

Do you download the app before sailing, and enter your reservation number so they can connect you to others in that reservation #?

Thank you, Ourusualbeach, that solved my mystery!

Interesting...I wouldn't mind bottles vs cans, but I would not like Dasani at all, since this:

"Most bottled water brands are purely water without any additives. Dasani, on the other hand, has three ingredients in total, excluding its tap water base. Each bottle of water contains magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride, and salt."

Will the app offer any dining packages prior to sailing for the Mariner?  Right now, it only has beverage packages being offered, so I didn't know if Mariner doesn't offer dining packages through the app at all, or not until much closer to sailing (we depart this Aug).

Thanks!

Does it cost extra to use the sauna? We are not in any suite class.

Is the sauna in the spa?

(I'm assuming the sauna is different than hot tubs.)

On 2/8/2023 at 7:34 PM, RD64 said:

$3 is a make or break issue?

LOL. I was already trying to justify $26.99 pp/pd (and struggling, at that), so yes, the extra $3 pp/pd means another $48 plus 18%, so I would definitely take a pass at that.

I see that it's bounced back to $26.99.  Thanks to everyone for their helpful input!

Hello!

I have an upcoming cruise in Aug and am watching the app for non-alcoholic beverage deals.

What is the best discount they normally offer? I saw $26.99 pp/pd and now it's at $29.99. Will it drop again or did I miss out on the better deal?

2 hours ago, Marie51 said:

$29.99 per person seems pricey for a shuttle ride.

 

That must be a price for a shuttle between the airport & cruise port, not between a local PC hotel & cruise port.

Port shuttle from a PC hotel should be less than $10 pp.  A shuttle from MCO to the PC area will be approx $30 pp (& up).

My issue is that if we stay at a hotel near MCO airport, the shuttle will get us to the port, but not very early like we like to arrive. (It's at least 45 min ride from MCO area.)

If we opt to stay at a PC hotel, they don't offer shuttles to & from the airport (exc for the questionable Radisson) so I have to make separate travel arrangements.  

2 hours ago, time4u2go said:

Which port?

PC

On 11/7/2022 at 9:13 PM, jam19872016 said:

Exercise done ✔

 

Got in a quick session in the sauna before it closed.

 

Now I'm trying my luck in the casino.

Jam - Does it cost extra to use the sauna? We are not in any suite class.

Is the sauna in the spa?

What happens if we show up before our check-in time? Do they usher you into a group of same timeslots so you never get in ahead of your timeslot?

5 hours ago, pudy68 said:

I was looking at the link provided to me above, which must be generic.  I'll have to check again once I'm signed into my planner.  Perhaps that option is displayed when there are dining venues that have shakes, like JR.  I think the MOTS has JR, so that would be primo!

OK, I went into the app and it still doesn't mention anything about milkshakes in the refreshment package. At $26.99 [sale price!!] per person/per night, that's a lot of drinks.  Might be better to buy everything a la carte. 

(I hear that mocktails are $7 each.  I'm guessing Johnny Rockets milkshakes are about the same.  I won't have a milkshake every day, that's sadly for sure.)

I haven't cruise RC for about 5-6 years, and there was no app back then.  I just booked a trip for Aug and assuming I have the right app downloaded, do I need to do anything right now?

Gleamed from another thread:

90 days out: final payment due

45 days out: check-in begins

30 days out: luggage tags available for printing

1 day out: health questionnaire

1 day out: watch muster video

I'm assuming all of the above (except making final payment to my TA) can or must be done through the app, correct?

I poked around it a bit and it looks like I can purchase drink or dining packages...anything else I should know?

Thank you for your patient answers, everyone.

4 hours ago, Scottdalfonso said:

@pudy68My refreshment package for my upcoming cruise has this description:  Shakes included

What's Included

• Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
• Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)
• Fountain soda and refills at any venue
• Bottled still and sparkling water
• Premium coffees and teas
• Fresh-squeezed juices
• Johnny Rockets Shakes
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup

I was looking at the link provided to me above, which must be generic.  I'll have to check again once I'm signed into my planner.  Perhaps that option is displayed when there are dining venues that have shakes, like JR.  I think the MOTS has JR, so that would be primo!